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FR0M HURFORDS STORES TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE
After 72 years of service behind the counter of Hurfords Stores in Kilmington, May Lavender née Hurford was very surprised but absolutely delighted when she opened her mail to find an invitation to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 15th July 2008. Her eldest son John agreed to escort her and with a lovely new outfit, they drove to London, parking right outside the appropriate entrance to the Palace gardens. It was a gorgeous day so that the new umbrella and mac were not needed and they enjoyed a splendid tea before lining up to see the Royal party. Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, The Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra were all in attendance, and she was almost within touching distance of The Queen and Prince Philip. May described the event as a great honour and a wonderful day which would always be indelibly printed in her memory. Having stayed the night near Windsor with John and his wife Lorna, they had another lovely day at Windsor Castle with a boat trip on the River Thames.
May, the eldest of seven children, was taken out of Kilmington School early by her father Harry at the age of 14 to serve in the shop as well as to help bring up her siblings. She celebrated her 86th birthday on 23rd July 2008 and you can guess where – behind the counter at Hurfords Stores! Congratulations May and thanks for all your service to Kilmington and the surrounding area and for your support to the Kilmington Cricket Club for which she has prepared teas for most of her life. Her husband, Jack, who died 14 years ago, would have been very proud.
May and John at the Palace
May at Windsor Castle
May with her two sons, David (proprietor of Hurfords Stores) and John, about to depart to London
Familiar sight – May behind the counter (on her 86th birthday)